Blame politics for Outdoor Retailer exit

The Outdoor Retailer trade show marked its final exposition for the foreseeable future in Utah last month, ending a two-decade run in Salt Lake City. The show’s owners moved in response to political differences with Utah leaders over public lands.

Losing the Outdoor Retailer show is a tremendous economic loss for Utah. Twice each year, the show has drawn 40,000 attendees who directly contribute nearly $50 million annually in spending to our state and local economies; its total direct and indirect economic value to Utah has been estimated at $300 million each year.

Like many Utahns, I am deeply disappointed at losing the Outdoor Retailer shows. While some are eager to place blame on Utah’s elected leaders or the Outdoor Industry Association, I don’t blame either side. Instead, I point to the politics that forced both groups to retreat to their respective corners without truly hearing each other out in a meaningful conversation. I blame political parties and partisan rhetoric.

For the past three decades, Utahns have been inundated with political rhetoric focused on state vs. federal control of our lands. Lost in this conversation have been important economic considerations, and the fact that Utah’s lands are vital to keeping our economy strong. The political debate has pitted environmentalists against industry, narrowing the argument to one between jobs and wilderness. But that has never reflected the reality of Utah’s economy.

As Utahns, we know that our state offers a variety and accessibility of outdoor activities and scenery that is second to none. Utahns are intensely passionate about outdoor recreation. A recent study by the David Eccles School of Business shows that most Utahns recreate outdoors at least once every week and nearly 90 percent of Utah residents say that outdoor recreation is “very important” to them.

Each year, outdoor recreation directly generates $12.3 billion in consumer spending, supports more than 110,000 good local jobs, and contributes $3.9 billion in wages and salaries, as well as $737 million in state and local tax revenue. Outdoor recreation produces twice as many jobs in Utah than the mining and energy industries, combined.

But the real value of Utah’s lands isn’t limited to outdoor recreation and tourism - it’s much, much bigger. Businesses of all kinds love Utah because they recognize the broad, far-reaching economic value of our lands. Utah’s world-class outdoor recreation is a vital draw for businesses looking to lure out-of-state talent and a big incentive for local talent to stay.

Utah's natural landscapes attract new businesses. Entrepreneurs choose to locate or expand their companies here because they and their teams want access to the outdoors. Utah’s lands also drive new construction. New construction in areas nearest our national monuments and parks has outpaced the rest of the state, with new housing units increasing from 53 percent in Grand County (near Arches and Canyonlands) to a whopping 318 percent in Kane County (near Grand Staircase-Escalante).

If Utahns are so passionate about outdoor recreation, and if Utah’s lands are such a powerful economic engine, why is there such a profound disconnect when it comes to the economic reality of Utah lands and the attitudes of so many Utah voters and leaders?

The answer is that Utahns' opinions about our lands have been shaped by decades of partisan political debate. Too often the conversation surrounding Utah’s lands has been driven or derailed by political parties and politicians.

As Utahns, we know that our state is special. We know that no other place offers such an incredible diversity of landscapes and unparalleled access to outdoor recreation. But too few Utahns fully understand that our lands are the key to strengthening our economy today and keeping it strong tomorrow.

In the conversation about Utah’s national parks and monuments and public lands, it’s time to end the political distractions and start focusing on economic facts. Only then will we truly know that Utah’s great outdoors are our greatest economic asset.